As a dog owner, walking your dog is a part of your morning routine. But you may have doubts like, ‘Should I Feed My Dog Before Or After Morning Walk?’
This might seem like a simple question but the consequences of feeding your dog at the wrong time can have fatal consequences. Read on to find out more to find an answer to your question so that you can plan your dog’s feeding schedule.
Should I Feed My Dog Before Or After Morning Walk?
You can feed your dog after the morning walk but make sure you do not feed him soon after the exercise. You should wait at least 45 minutes before you feed your dog after his morning potty break and exercise.
Do not feed your furry friend any food soon after the walk, when he is still panting and warm from the exercise. This can cause digestive issues in your dog.
Do not feed your dog right before the walk as well. If you walk your dog just before or soon after feeding, it can cause digestive issues like bloating in your dog. So, put a decent gap, about 45 minutes after you walk your dog to feed him.
Should I Walk My Dog On An Empty Stomach?
It is always better to walk your dog on an empty stomach. This is all the more beneficial if your dog is overweight. Walking your dog on an empty stomach also reduces the risk of stomach twisting.
Do not walk your dog soon after or right before feeding him. It can cause bloating problems in your dog. Wait for two hours after you walk your dog to get him to exercise, especially vigorous exercise. A dog with a full tummy can suffer from bloat and other digestive issues.
Do Dogs Need Walking First Thing In The Morning?
Walking your dog first thing in the morning is the most comfortable and beneficial for your dog and his overall health. So, yes, dogs do need walking first thing in the morning, to maintain their health.
The morning time is optimal because the temperature outside is comfortable and exercising during this time gives your dog an overall health benefit.
How Soon After Feeding Should I Walk My Dog?
Wait for at least one hour, preferably two hours, if you plan to walk your dog after feeding him. Dogs who exercise soon after feeding can face digestive issues like bloating. Bloating is a sort of digestive problem that can cause your dog’s stomach to blow up like a balloon.
It is suggested to feed your dog at least 45 minutes after a walk. Exercising can be harmful to your dog if he does it on a full stomach.
Also Read: Should You Walk A Dog With Luxating Patella?
Should I Give My Dog Water After A Walk?
You can feed your dog water after a walk but make sure he does not gulp too much water as it can cause an upset stomach or bloat. You can also give your dog water in between the workouts.
But remember to give him water in small amounts, gulping huge amounts of water can give him bloat or upset stomach.
Always make sure your dog is well-hydrated while walking or exercising. To read more about how you can make sure your dog is comfortable during workouts, click here.
How Long Should I Walk My Dog Before Work?
Your dog will need about 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise every day. It is not necessary to give him all that exercise in one go. You can break this into two to three walks per day.
So you can walk him as long as 30 minutes to 2 hours and feed him at least 45 minutes after the walk. This will ensure your dog does not face any digestive issues.
What Causes Bloat In A Dog?
Bloat in a dog can be caused by several factors like:
1. Dog Breed
Some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to bloat rather than others. The larger breeds like German Shepherd and Great Danes with deep chests and narrow waists can experience bloating more than smaller dogs. However, a small dog like Yorkie can also suffer from bloat.
2. Age
An older dog is at risk more than younger dogs and puppies. A senior dog between the age of 7 to 12 years has more chances to experience bloat.
3. Physical Exercise And Feeding Routine
A dog with a decent amount of exercise time and a proper feeding routine has fewer chances of suffering from bloat. Eating right before or soon after exercise, food gulping is a common reason bloat occurs in dogs.
Giving your dog plenty of exercises, brisk walks and a proper feeding schedule can help prevent GDV in your dog.
Also Read: Avoid These 30 Harmful Food Items For Your Dog
What Is Food Bloat In A Dog?
Food bloat is the colloquial name for a dog’s stomach disorders named gastric dilatation (GD) and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).
GD is a condition in which your dog’s stomach will be filled with gas and your dog’s stomach blows up like a balloon. GDV happens when the gas-filled stomach twists on itself.
To learn more about GDV or bloat, click here.
What Are The First Signs Of Bloat In A Dog?
If your dog is suffering from bloat, it can be identified by several signs the dog shows. He can show symptoms like:
- Swollen abdomen
- Restlessness
- Pacing
- Retching
- Panting or rapid breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Distress
- Painful abdomen
- Collapsing
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, call for a veterinarian as soon as possible.
How Do You Treat Bloat In Dogs At Home?
If you feel your dog is suffering from bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus(GDV), immediately consult a vet. GDV is a fatal condition and it cannot be treated at home. There is no effective home remedy to treat GDV in dogs.
However, by making sure your dog has a well-planned feeding routine, healthy exercise, and daily walks, you can prevent the occurrence of GDV in your dog.
It also helps to use a slow feeding bowl like JASGOOD Slow Dog Feeder. It aids and encourages your dog to eat at a slower pace, preventing indigestion, vomiting, and bloating.
Should I Train My Dog When He’s Hungry?
Training your dog while he is hungry does not necessarily help him perform tasks effectively. Training efficiency is better when your dog is not starving.
Just like breakfast helps humans to think better, dogs also need food to perform better. You can conduct your training session 30 minutes after a meal so that your dog remembers all the tricks the best. You can give him little treats for his good boy behavior!
Is A Hungry Dog Easier To Train?
A hungry dog, especially a dog whose dog food is high in carbs, will not do very well when he is very hungry. The dog will be able to give its best only if he has had food at least 30 minutes before the training time.
Offer a low-carb meal before the training and this will boost your dog’s performance. You can also offer little treats while training to encourage your little puppy!
How Do I Get My Dog To Stop Eating Everything On Walks?
If your dog has a habit of scavenging, it can be worrisome to you or your dog walker. However, a little training can help your dog to stay in control.
- Put your dog on a leash while you take him out for a walk. So, when he tries to approach trash, you can control his access to it.
- Train him to follow a command to ‘leave it’. Positive reinforcement can help you to train your dog well and respond to the command. Start training in a controlled environment first.
- Reward him when he pays attention to you and does not eat the random trash.
- Your dog could be scavenging because he has pica. Consult a vet to check if your dog is dealing with this condition.
- If nothing works, try muzzle training. If training is done properly, you can control your pet from eating random trash from the road.
It is very necessary to control scavenging in your dog. Your dog might end up ingesting foreign or harmful objects that cause more harm than good to your furry friend.
How Long Should A Puppy Wait To Play After Eating?
A puppy should wait for at least two hours to play after eating. A dog should not do any exercise, a long walk, fetch, or running.
Vigorous exercise after eating can lead to gastric dilatation-volvulus(GDV) in dogs, especially in an adult dog and a large dog. GDV can be fatal to dogs, so make sure he does not exercise right before a meal or soon after a meal.
Should I Feed My Puppy Right When He Wakes Up?
It is not advisable to feed your puppy right after he wakes up. The first thing you should do after your puppy wakes up is to take him out so that he can relieve himself. Once that’s done, wait for at least two hours if your pup has had heavy exercise or play.
After a good interval, you can feed your dog. Following this routine will also prevent your dog from associating waking up to breakfast.
Also Read: Is Dentastix Good For Your Dog?
Conclusion: Should I Feed My Dog Before Or After Morning Walk?
As a pet owner, you will naturally have a lot of questions before fixing your dog’s schedule. ‘Should I Feed My Dog Before Or After Morning Walk?’ is a common question.
You can feed your dog after your morning walk. But feed him only after at least 40 minutes, preferably 2 hours, after the walk.
